Diagnostic information collecting device

ABSTRACT

A diagnostic data collection unit ( 10 ) that collects diagnostic data of a vehicle is connected to electronic control units ( 11 ) and ( 12 ) for the vehicle through a CAN, and includes a specifying device for measurement items that specifies the measurement items to the electronic control units ( 11 ) and ( 12 ), a recording device ( 24 ) for diagnostic data that records control data based on the specified measurement items and operating data of each apparatus sent from the electronic control units ( 11 ) and ( 12 ), and a storage device ( 25 ) for recorded data that stores the recorded data of the recording device for the diagnostic data of during a predetermined period before or after a trigger generating device is activated.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a diagnostic data collection unit usedfor a diagnostic system for failure and the like of a vehicle with whichan electronic control unit is equipped.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Recently, an electronic control unit composed of microcomputers isutilized for vehicle control and a fault-diagnostic unit for a vehicle,that collects diagnostic data from such a control unit and diagnosesfaults and the like, is taken in consideration.

The fault-diagnostic unit is provided with a data memory unit. And, forinstance, with respect to a defect phenomenon that occurs only while avehicle runs, data at the time of generation of the defect phenomenon isobtained by a road test of the vehicle in a state where the vehicle isequipped with the diagnostic unit (See JP,8-166328,A, for example).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Control of an engine and of a power train system and of the like for avehicle, is complicated due to electronic control, so that, tounderstand a brief moment of phenomenon and to record data are requiredfor diagnosis of failure and the like of the vehicle but such data ishardly obtained unless a baud rate between the fault-diagnostic unit andthe electronic control unit for the vehicle is rapid, and thus, theappropriate diagnosis is not possibly made at times.

In addition, it takes time and a trouble over the diagnosis if anoperability, which is of indication and setting of various measurementitems to electronic control unit for the vehicle, is complicated.Moreover, for the diagnosis of the faults and the like, there is such acase that it is needed to keep a record along with the data sent fromthe electronic control unit.

The present invention has, in consideration of the foregoing problems,an object of providing a diagnostic data collection unit by which thediagnosis of the failure and the like is made in an accurate and easymanner.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes adiagnostic data collection unit that collects diagnostic data of avehicle. The diagnostic data collection unit includes input-outputdevices that communicate data with an electronic control units for avehicle through a Control Area Network (CAN), a specifying device formeasurement items that specifies the measurement items to the electroniccontrol unit, a recording device for diagnostic data that recordscontrol data based on the specified measurement items and operating dataof each apparatus, those data are sent from the electronic control unit,a trigger generating device that specifies import of the diagnosticdata, and a storage device that stores the recorded data of therecording device for the diagnostic data during a predetermined periodbefore or after at the trigger generating device is activated.

According to the present invention, since data communication with anelectronic control unit for a vehicle is carried out through a CAN(Control Area Network) communication, a large amount of data can betransferred and collected speedily. Therefore, data can be recorded andstored in detail by taking a brief moment of phenomenon and a complexphenomenon with precision even if control of an engine, a power trainsystem and the like is complicated by electronic control, and as aresult, diagnosis of failure and the like can be accuratelyaccomplished.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a diagnostic system.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a diagnostic data collectionunit.

FIG. 3 is an explanation view of operations and processes of diagnosis.

FIG. 4 is an explanation view of operations and processes of diagnosis.

FIG. 5 is an explanation view of operations and processes of diagnosis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a diagnostic system, comprising adiagnostic data collection unit 10, a control unit 11 (ECU: ElectronicControl Unit) including a control system for a power train system or thelike of a vehicle 100, a control unit 12 (ECU: Electronic Control Unit)for an engine 200 of the vehicle 100 and a computer 13 (PC) used fordiagnostic analysis.

The vehicle control unit 11 and the engine control unit 12 are connectedthrough a CAN (Control Area Network) in order to communicate data witheach other. As for the CAN, the one, whose transmission rate is frombetween 256 k and 512 k bits per second to 1M bit per second, is used.

The diagnostic data collection unit 10 specifies measurement items tothe vehicle control unit 11 and the engine control unit 12 and collectsdata for diagnostic, and the diagnostic data collection unit 10 isprovided with CAN input-output terminals 14 and 15 in order to connectto the vehicle control unit 11 and the engine control unit 12 throughthe CAN.

Moreover the diagnostic data collection unit 10 includes a manualtrigger switch 16, as one of trigger generating devices, to command tostore data by an operator during a predetermined period before or afterwhen the operator concludes that a defect phenomenon occurs, oroptionally. Further, the diagnostic data collection unit 10 alsoincludes an analog-data input terminal 17 to record a driving voltage ofeach sensor and a voltage state of each electronic actuator, thosesensor and electronic actuator are arranged in respective apparatuses ofoperating systems such as an accelerator and a drive train system and anengine for a vehicle.

The computer (PC) 13 sets measurement items and the like in thediagnostic data collection unit 10 and analyzes data collected by thediagnostic data collection unit 10, as which, for instance, a personalcomputer is used.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the diagnostic data collectionunit 10, which comprises of, a personal computer interface 21 thatcommunicates with the computer 13 through a connector 20, a CANcommunication interface 22 that communicates with the vehicle controlunit 11 and the engine control unit 12 through connectors 14 and 15 (theCAN input-output terminals), a calculation part 23 that carries outcontrol of the diagnostic data collection unit and carries out datacommunication with the computer or does the like, a SRAM 24 that storesdata received from the vehicle control unit 11 and the engine controlunit 12, and analog-data, of such as a sensor driving voltage, inputtedfrom the analog-data input terminal 17, a FLASH memory (nonvolatile) 25that stores SRAM data in response to the activation of the triggergenerating device (the manual trigger switch 16 and the calculation part23).

Operations and processes of the diagnostic data collection unit 10, thecomputer 13, the vehicle control unit 11 and the engine control unit 12will be now explained. First, the diagnostic data collection unit 10 isconnected to the computer 13, installing a diagnostic program therein,through the connector 20 at a vehicle service station (office), orsomewhere, then measurement items, measurement conditions and the likeare set.

As shown in FIG. 3, a configuration file, including measurement itemsand measurement conditions and CAN communication conditions and the likeare required for diagnosis, is created on the computer 13.

The measurement items set a pattern code number, which is patternedmulti-items in accordance with contents of the diagnosis. Multi-itemscome from engine rotation speed, an amount of fuel injection, a fuelinjection timing, an accelerator opening for a driving signal of a fuelinjection valve, a clutch operation, a gear position of a transmission,a gear shift operation, an operation of each breaking system, anoperation of a hydraulic system and the like.

The measurement conditions set a sampling cycle, a sampling period, atrigger condition, a measurement period for the trigger condition andthe like. The trigger condition is the condition which selects of such away as to activate a trigger by taking the calculation part 23 of thediagnostic data collection unit 10 as trigger generating devices,besides the trigger switch 16, in a case where predetermined measurementdata or the analog-data to be described later enters within the range ofa specific level.

The CAN communication conditions sets an ID number and the like.

In this case, the contents of the diagnosis may be selectable, and theconfiguration file may be created based on the selection.

In addition, a measurement of analog-data, of such as a sensor drivingvoltage, is selected.

The configuration file is sent from the computer 13 to the diagnosticdata collection unit 10 after its file has been created.

The diagnostic data collection unit 10 recognizes the contents of theconfiguration file and executes internal adjustments.

After the internal adjustments are completed, the diagnostic datacollection unit 10 is disconnected from the computer (PC) 13.

Next, the diagnostic data collection unit 10 is installed in a relevantvehicle, the connecters 14 and 15 are connected, and diagnostic data ofwhen the vehicle stops and even when the vehicle runs are collected. Inother words, the diagnostic data collection unit 10 is connected to thevehicle control unit 11 and the engine control unit 12 (through the CAN)and collection of data is made.

When the analog-data of, such as a sensor driving voltage, is measured,analog-data input terminal 17 is connected in order to input theanalog-data through the analog-data input terminal 17.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, when an engine key switch for thevehicle is turned on after the power of diagnostic data collection unit10 is turned on, the vehicle control unit 11 and the engine control unit12 send CAN data for recognition of the ECU, and thereby the diagnosticdata collection unit 10 recognizes the vehicle control unit 11 and theengine control unit 12 and then sends a pattern code of measurementitems, measurement conditions and the like to the relevant control unit.

After receiving the pattern code of the measurement items, themeasurement conditions and the like, the vehicle control unit 11 and theengine control unit 12 start to send data and send operating data ofeach apparatus and relevant control data in accordance with pattern codeand measurement condition and the like to the diagnostic data collectionunit 10. This sending is carried out every execution cycle of control.

The diagnostic data collection unit 10 sequentially records the datasent from the vehicle control unit 11 and the engine control unit 12 ina predetermined space of the SRAM 24. In this case, after the data issequentially recorded in from a top address to an end address, the datais again overwritten in from the top address to the end address. Therecord of the analog-data, of such as a sensor driving voltage, is alsosimilarly recorded.

In addition, when the trigger switch 16 is turned on, or when apredetermined measurement data or the analog-data selected as a triggercondition enters within the range of a specific level, a trigger isconsidered as being activated. Then, data which is recorded in the SRAM24 during a predetermined period before or after the trigger isactivated, is written and saved to the FLASH memory (nonvolatile) 25 inaccordance with the measurement conditions and the like.

This collection of data can be performed multiple times according to acapacity or the like of the FLASH memory (nonvolatile) 25.

The diagnostic data collection unit 10 is uninstalled from the vehicleafter the vehicle finishes running and the data collection is completed.

Next, the data collected by the diagnostic data collection unit 10 isanalyzed in the computer 13 at a service station (office), or somewhere.

As shown in FIG. 5, the diagnostic data collection unit 10 is connectedto the computer 13 and the data collected by the diagnostic datacollection unit 10 is imported to the computer 13.

The computer 13 converts the collected data into physical quantity, andalso converts the data into a text file of a predetermined format. Afterthat, the data can be graphed and analyzed by analysis software, and thedata is used for diagnosing.

Such arrangement can make the diagnosis of failure and the like of avehicle be undertaken in an accurate and easy manner.

More specifically, data communication between the diagnostic datacollection unit 10 and the vehicle control unit 11, the engine controlunit 12 is carried out through the CAN (Control Area Network)communication whose transmission rate is rapid, in a same manner of thedata communication between the vehicle control unit 11 and the enginecontrol unit 12, so that a large amount of data can be transferred andcollected speedily.

Therefore, data can be recorded and stored in detail by taking a briefmoment of phenomenon and a complex phenomenon, so that diagnosis canaccurately be accomplished based on the data even if control and of anengine, a power train system and the like is complicated by electroniccontrol.

In this case, predetermined measurement data or the like is selected andwhen the measurement data or the like enters within the range of aspecific level, the data can be collected and saved, not only when thetrigger switch 16 is turned on, thus the data is easily analyzed.

Moreover, since a pattern code, which is patterned multi-items inaccordance with contents of diagnosis, is used for the setting ofmeasurement items, so that the setting is easily be done and preparationfor the diagnosis is provided without a trouble. In this case, if thecontents of the diagnosis are selectable, and a configuration file ofthe measurement items is creatable by the selection, the preparation forthe diagnosis can be accurately and easily completed.

Further, since a driving voltage of each sensor and a power state ofeach electric actuator, besides each control data of an engine and apower train system and operating data of each apparatus, can be recordedthat a defect of a drive circuit system and the like can also beanalyzed, and thereby the diagnosis can be made more accurately.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be used for diagnosis of faults and the likeof a vehicle with which an electronic control unit is equipped.

1. A diagnostic data collection unit that collects diagnostic data of a vehicle, comprising: input-output devices that communicates data with an electronic control unit for a vehicle through a Control Area Network (CAN); a specifying device for measurement items that specifies the measurement items to the electronic control unit; a recording device for diagnostic data that records control data based on a specified measurement items and operating data of each apparatus sent from the electronic control unit; a trigger generating device that specifies import of the diagnostic data; and a storage device that stores the recorded data of the recording device for the diagnostic data during a predetermined period before or after the trigger generating device is activated.
 2. The diagnostic data collection unit according to claim 1, wherein: the specifying device for the measurement items specifies a pattern code installing a plurality of the measurement items to the electronic control unit.
 3. The diagnostic data collection unit according to claim 2, wherein: the pattern code is set by a computer that is externally connected and used for diagnostic analysis.
 4. The diagnostic data collection unit according to claim 3, wherein: the setting of the pattern code by the computer is provided before the vehicle runs.
 5. The diagnostic data collection unit according to claim 1, wherein: the trigger generating device is manually operated by an operator to generate a trigger.
 6. The diagnostic data collection unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a recording device for an analog voltage that records and stores a sensor driving voltage of each apparatus of the vehicle. 